Cataract and Cataract Surgery Flashcards
What is a cataract?
Any clouding of the eye’s crystalline lens
What are some common symptoms of cataracts?
Blurry vision glare haloes around lights at night dull colours/ yellowing frequent eyeglasses script changes
What causes cataracts?
Aging diabetes family history ocular trauma/surgery UV Steroids Ocular inflammation (iritis)
What can protect against cataracts?
Excessive sunlight
No vitamins /anti oxidants
What are the most common types of cataracts?
Nuclear sclerosis Posterior subcapsular Cortical Mature white Hypermature (morganian)
When should cataract surgery be contemplated?
Only when the patient feels that the lack of vision is interfering with their quality of life or ability to perform daily activities
What cases warrants immediate cataracts surgery?
Congenital cataracts which should be removed in the first few weeks of life, or the damage could be significant
When it’s causing iritis or glaucoma
When it’s preventing treatment of retinal disease
Can cataracts be removed with laser?
Femtosecond laser assisted cataracts surgery is here
Define phacoemulsification
An ultrasonic energy pulse that breaks up the cataract into small pieces
What are possible complications of phacoemulsification?
Infection (1:1000) Suprachoroidal hemorrhage (1:1000) Retinal detachment (1:100) Glaucoma Macular edema Posterior capsule opacification
What causes posterior capsule opacification?
Proliferation of cells left behind form surgery that migrate to the posterior capsule
How is posterior capsule opacification treated?
YAG lase capsulotomy
Risks: 1% retinal detachment, Macular edema, transient increase in IOP
